Jets RB suggests WRs called out Sanchez to media

Given LaDainian Tomlinson's remarks following the Jets' embarrassing Week 17 loss to the Dolphins, it's not altogether surprising that he would again suggest that the wide receivers were one of the reasons for the team's lack of cohesion this season.

First, a refresher: LdT's comments in Miami after Santonio Holmes was benched for insolence -- and worse -- quitting on his team.

"Let me just say that there were guys in the huddle that were unhappy with Tone’s demeanor," Tomlinson told reporters on January 1. “And when you have a group of guys who are fighting their butts off, and one guy who -- for whatever reason, his demeanor isn’t with ‘em -- you’ll have guys try to say something to him, just pretty much tell him how they feel. That’s what you got today.

"I’ll tell you what, it’s tough for guys to follow a captain that kind of behaves in that manner. When you’re a captain, guys are looking at you, you’ve got to lead by example. You’ve got to play your tail off until the last play. And when that don’t happen, you have guys looking at you in a way that captains shouldn’t be looked at. You should always put yourself out there as a leader. "

Head coach Rex Ryan's solution: do away with team captains. He might also want to give some thought to doing away with Holmes (although at the Jets' end-of-season presser, both Ryan and general manager Mike Tannenbaum sounded like Holmes would be back).

Tomlinson shed more light on the Jets' season of discontent during a Sunday appearance on ESPN's NFL Countdown. LdT didn't name names but as ESPNNewYork.com's Rich Cimini points out, he didn't have to. It doesn't take Norman Einstein to piece together that Tomlinson seemed to indicate that Holmes and Plaxico Burress might be responsible for recent not-so-nice -- and anonymous comments about quarterback Mark Sanchez.

"I think some things that happened in the locker room between [Sanchez] and the receivers, I think that's where this is coming from -- some of the disconnects that happened throughout the year, maybe some of the arguments you guys heard about throughout the year," Tomlinson said. "So I think this is where it may be coming from."

Last week, unnamed sources in the Jets organization described Sanchez as "lazy" and "coddled". That came days after former Jets defensive lineman Kris Jenkinssuggested that “[Calling out Holmes publicly like backup Greg McElroy did] would have been all part of the process of [Sanchez] growing a pair and standing up and being a man. But the thing is, he lost his because he got caught up in the wash that is New York, the spotlight, taking pictures in the magazines and doing all that stuff. That’s just what everybody has seen with Mark Sanchez, they got tired of it.”

Center Nick Mangold and owner Woody Johnson both came out in support of Sanchez, as did Tomlinson Sunday.

"Listen, there are a lot of things you can say about Mark Sanchez, but to call him lazy is a bit much," he said. "This is a guy that has worked very hard off the field ... in the film room, I've seen it ... the weight room, putting in extra time with the coaches early in the morning ... after practice, when everybody is gone, putting in time. So he's not lazy."

Whatever Sanchez does away from the field, the reality is this: he's underperformed in 2011. His third NFL season was a disappointment punctuated by the Jets missing the playoffs. The team has since parted ways with offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer (he could end up as part of Jeff Fisher's new staff in St. Louis) and hired Tony Sparano.

During his introductory press conference Sparano proclaimed that "We’’ll be explosive. We’ll be able to get it down the field."

And during an appearance on The Michael Kay Show this week, Sparano was even more effusive.

“I’m really excited about being a part of the entire Jets organization here and getting a chance to work with Rex here and work for Rex," he said via SportsRadioInterview.com. … "As far as Mark goes I am very excited about getting a chance to work with Mark Sanchez. When you are in the other locker room he causes you so many problems in your preparation because of the way he can move and escape and extend plays and make all the throws. This guy has won a lot of games in the 4th quarter of games, so those type of things are the things that excite me.”

Jets RB suggests WRs called out Sanchez to media

You didn't even read the article Pimp-out or you might have caught the sarcasm.

The Norman Einstein/Joe Theisman sarcasm?

Since: Jan 17, 2012

Posted on: January 17, 2012 8:01 pm

Jets RB suggests WRs called out Sanchez to media

Some people said tghe 3rd string quarterback rookie was wrong in going to the media about things in the locker room, well I guess the vertrans are realy giving a good example. they need to shut up and talk about the problems in private now they are looking like a bunch of whinning babies who when they do noty get their way threy cry - Next year the record may match Detroits of a few years ago they deserves every loss - they would not kjnow what a tgeam is if it few on them

Since: Mar 17, 2010

Posted on: January 17, 2012 6:55 pm

Jets RB suggests WRs called out Sanchez to media

LT is right on. A lot of the NFL WR's are a bunch of selfish kids that believe that success goes through them. They don't have the Wes Welker mentality. I hope Plaxico is not part of that group. He is lucky he even has a job. People with Felonies don't usually get second chances let alone a decent job. Trade Holmes and get some players to beef up the team. Make sure you trade him to the NFC WEST

Since: Oct 29, 2011

Posted on: January 17, 2012 6:22 pm

Jets RB suggests WRs called out Sanchez to media

You didn't even read the article Pimp-out or you might have caught the sarcasm.

Since: Dec 4, 2011

Posted on: January 17, 2012 6:05 pm

Jets RB suggests WRs called out Sanchez to media

Your absolutely 100% correct, my point is an LT issue opening his mouth, throwing teammates under the bus to keep himself relevant in the news to make up for the diminishing numbers.

Since: Apr 21, 2011

Posted on: January 17, 2012 5:32 pm

Jets RB suggests WRs called out Sanchez to media

CaliBoy: No. I did not read your post until after your inquiry. IMO, the Chargers issues are not relevant to the Jets.

Since: Nov 1, 2011

Posted on: January 17, 2012 5:19 pm

Jets RB suggests WRs called out Sanchez to media

the first mistake was when Rex named a malcontent like Holmes captian in hopes he would step up.Rex name the guy who would never quit on his team (maybe Sanches) and throw out the rest of the trash

Since: Aug 12, 2008

Posted on: January 17, 2012 5:17 pm

Jets RB suggests WRs called out Sanchez to media

Surprising to me that all the Teams/Coaching staffs in the NFL.....Rex's crew would be the last to cover up who said what about who...

My guess is that its Tone! Untwist your panties Santonio and grow a set.....say what want...everyone thinks its you anyways....what a wuss!

Since: Dec 4, 2011

Posted on: January 17, 2012 5:14 pm

Jets RB suggests WRs called out Sanchez to media

was this a response to my post???

Since: Apr 21, 2011

Posted on: January 17, 2012 5:13 pm

Jets RB suggests WRs called out Sanchez to media

Neither Sanchez nor Tomlinson played the OL or at WR. The blocking had Sanchez on his back and Tomlinson and Greene running into DLs. The WRs certainly aggravated problems for the OLs and RBs. We're talking about trouble personalities in Burress and Holmes, players who were serious problems for their previous teams. The OL will be fixed but the WR subject is doubtful even for next year. The Jets face conflicting needs at WR and RB in the draft. The Jets ought to dump Burress and Holmes and move on. At least the Jets don't have to unload Braylon Thomas.